Le Portel reaches final, Vichy pushes ASA to deciding game
After winning a suffocating match against Orleans (78-72), Le Portel secured their ticket to the Pro B playoff finals. Meanwhile, JA Vichy dominated Alliance Sport Alsace (ASA) Gries-Souffel (81-75) in a packed Pierre-Coulon arena to earn a decisive game on Thursday in Alsace.
Le Portel in final, Vichy still alive
Supported by a red-hot Chaudron crowd, ESSM Le Portel didn’t falter when closing out against Orleans. Though challenged until the end, Eric Girard’s men found the resources to win late in the game thanks to a decisive shot from their captain Lahaou Konaté. « It’s my favorite shot, » he said after his winning pull-up sealed Orleans’ fate in the final minute.
✅ 𝐅𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐮 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 • @PROB_officiel
Dans une véritable guerre de tranchées, les portelois triomphent et récupèrent l’avantage du terrain dans ces playoffs de dingues 🔥
⭟ @jnunge24 13-16-1 (3 contres) ⭟
🔜 Rendez-vous ce dimanche en finale dans un Chaudron brûlant 🔥 pic.twitter.com/V1sYqpDwbK
— ESSM Le Portel (@ESSMbasket) June 2, 2025
More than just a victory, Le Portel delivered a collective demonstration. With seven players scoring 6 points or more, including Digué Diawara cleverly exploiting mismatches, Le Portel proved they could handle the physical and emotional intensity of these knockout games. The finalist will face the winner between Vichy and ASA.
For JA Vichy, the response was worthy of the occasion. After losing the away game, the Auvergne team bounced back in their Pierre-Coulon cauldron to earn a deciding game in Alsace. Led by Jordan Shepherd’s shooting (22 points) and captain Sébastien Cape’s composure, who made crucial three-pointers, they won 81-75 in a volcanic atmosphere.
Against a very physical ASA team on the boards (51 rebounds), Vichy made the difference from behind the arc (15/28) in a breathtaking back-and-forth game. Despite another brilliant performance from Shannon Bogues (23 points), the Alsatians couldn’t keep up with the pace set by the home team in the final quarter. The deciding game will take place Thursday evening in Gries to determine who will join Le Portel in the final.
👀 @jav_basket ou @basket_asa pour rejoindre l’@ESSMbasket en finale ?
Rendez-vous jeudi pour le savoir 🔥🍿#PlayoffsAccessionBetclicELITE pic.twitter.com/eGlM6PW6S5
— PROB (@PROB_officiel) June 2, 2025
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